(Congressional Debate) Student Congress (Congressional Debate)

Legislators In Student Congress, debaters are referred to as legislators because the format is modeled after the US Senate and House of Representatives.

Committees In larger schools and in debate contests, students are divided into committees. The most common are: Public Welfare Foreign Affairs Ways and Means (economics) Each committee has a chair who sets the agenda, or docket.

Legislation The topic of discussion in Student Congress always deals with legislation. There are two kinds of legislation: A bill is a proposed new law. This is what we will use in this class. A resolution does not become a law. Rather, it proposes a topic worthy of public discussion (such as granting a Federal holiday or naming a street after someone)

Writing Legislation A policy refers to a plan of action designed to solve a problem (domestic policy, foreign policy, financial policy, etc.). A bill turns policy into law. The format for a bill is very specific. Bills are divided into stages called articles. Articles break down the steps of a bill for easy reference.

Format of a Bill

Tips for Writing Bills Each article has a specific purpose The bill uses concise language Information is organized clearly and carefully A bill can be no more than 1 page. It must be typed and double-spaced.

Parliamentary Procedure Parliamentary Procedure is a set of guidelines which allows for discussion by using the democratic process. Every participant has the right to speak without fear of reprisal. Student Congress creates an environment that allows for meaningful debate without interruptions or interference as long as parliamentary rules are followed.

Organization of the Session The leader of the chamber is called the Presiding Officer. The PO keeps a precedence chart. This chart is used to keep track of who has spoken and who has not. If two students raise their hands to speak, the PO will use the chart to determine who has precedence to speak. Precedence is based on: who has spoken least recently who has spoken the fewest number of times in the session whoever the PO chooses

Precedence Chart (S) sponsor (N) negative (A) affirmative This chart indicates the legislators in alphabetical order, the speaking order (recency), and the status of each speaker – (S) sponsor (N) negative (A) affirmative

Authorship Speech The first speech is called the authorship speech. (3 min) It’s the sponsor’s chance to elaborate on the bill, explain the rationale, or offer information that is not part of the actual bill. The speech is divided into three sections: introduction contentions conclusion This is followed by cross examination (by anyone who is recognized by the PO) for 2 minutes.

Negation Speech Next is a negation speech (3 min), which tells why the bill should not be approved. This is also followed by 2 minutes of cross examination.

Alternating Speeches The rest of the session is comprised of alternating affirmative (proponency) and negative (opponency) speeches which are 3 minutes each. After the first two, all subsequent cross examination (if needed/requested) is 1 minute long. Any speech may offer amendments (changes) to the bill, but amendments must be moved, seconded, and approved by the majority.

Order of Speeches

Motions After discussion (or time) has been exhausted, the bill will either be brought to a vote or it will die on the floor. To motion, a legislator must have the floor (permission to speak) and then say, “I move to…” Motions must be seconded (or approved) and then voted upon by the congress. To second a motion (and move it forward), another legislator simply says, “second!” and the motion moves forward. If there is no second, the motion dies.

Voting When there is an approved motion to Call the Question, the PO will conduct the vote. Voting may happen by: a show of hands voice vote (aye or no) secret ballot roll call * Any member may ask for a revote, and the motion should request a certain type of vote. All members should always vote.

Criteria for Judging Eloquence Logic Organization Extemporaneity Questioning

Rubric

I'm Just a Bill